When you make the decision to spay/neuter your pet, you need to be comfortable with your choice, and your veterinarian should understand your concerns. As with any surgery, there are risks associated with anesthesia – and that is a topic that should ALWAYS be discussed with your vet.
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering
Aside from helping control the current overpopulation of cats and dogs, neutering or spaying your pet typically makes for a healthier animal and a better pet. The many benefits of spaying/neutering include:
- Decrease in possibility of cancer – mammary, ovarian, or testicular cancer.
- Alleviation of marking behavior, hormonal behavior, and heat cycles.
- Elimination of overpopulation/unwanted pregnancies.
- Reducing the chance of potentially life threatening uterine infections in females (Pyometra) – Did you know that Pyometra is an extremely common disease of unspayed female dogs? One in four unspayed female dogs who have survived to age 10 will get it.
When Should I Spay/Neuter my dog/cat?
Usually, neutering (male) or spaying (female) is done in young animals. Why? Because they are not as likely to have any underlying health issues. Anesthesia is also considered safer for young animals, rather than with geriatric patients. But again, please discuss this in detail with your vet. It is recommended to spay or neuter all pets, but you should discuss the timing with your vet if:
- You intend to breed them.
- You have a large/giant breed that needs more time to grow/develop long bones.
- They are too young or under sized.
- They have underlying issues such as liver disease/shunt, etc.
Questions? Contact Compassionate Animal Care
Spaying or neutering your pet should be done for a number of reasons, but as always, you should consult your veterinarian to discuss what is best for YOUR pet. There really is no “by the book” answer to the question of “When should I spay/neuter my dog or cat?”
You can find lots of information on this topic on veterinarypartner.com or, if you have any concerns about spaying/neutering your pet, please talk to your veterinarian. Call 480.774.6995 to schedule an appointment with Compassionate Animal Care today.
